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Sunday, August 15, 2010

105 – Me, Myself, and I

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I’ve had a word in my head a lot today.  It’s the word “I”…

Not “eye”.  But, “I”.

The first sentence in “The Purpose Driven Life” book is… “It’s not about you.”  So many times we only think of I, me, we, etc.

Sometimes we boast:

  • I have done this…
  • I have served here…

Sometimes we complain or make excuses:

  • I can’t do that (or won’t)…
  • I feel that…
  • That hurt my feelings.
  • I’m too tired to…
  • That’s not my ministry…

I am afraid to fly.  Really.  I mean deathly afraid.  I flew twice on a small plane when I worked at Ranger… got scared to death… and decided I would never fly again.  But since then, I’ve made a couple of exceptions.  One to go visit my Goulet relatives in California (2006).  One to go on a family vacation (sans Dave) to Washington, DC (2009), and in less than three weeks, we will be flying to Houston to see “the K’s” (as Kelly creatively named them).

Today (like all of the sudden), I’m considering a mission trip to Nicaragua in November.  The thought of it hasn’t even occurred to me until this afternoon.  Finances would be an issue (that I know God can take care of).  Fear of flying would be a HUGE issue (that I know my Xanax can help with – HA!).  But, I’m also afraid to do something I’ve never done before. (I’ve even had the thought of the conditions and would I be able to wash my hair and use gel every day???? I don’t want to scare people off with my ungel’d hair!)

I haven’t even felt like God has called me to go, until I started telling Jodi that I feel like it’s something that SHE needs right now in her life.  I don’t think she would go, unless I do.  So, today it became a possibility in my mind.

I don’t want to let all the “me” things stop me.  I want to do what God would have “me” to do.  I want to please Him.  I’m not saying I’m going… it’s something I need to seek Him about.  After all, it’s not about “me”… it’s about Him.

I’d appreciate your prayers for me (and Jodi) that we will have clarity about what God would have us to do.

9 comments:

Kayla said...

you already know my thoughts on that!! :)

The Garners said...

That's awesome, J! Praying for both of you.

Becky said...

I will be praying for you and Jodi!

Real Simple said...

Go for it. God is for it! I took a mission(one of 4)trip about 12 years ago with my (then) 13 year old daughter and it was a blessing. God decided out there that I would start homeschooling after I came home...that was a huge blessing. And we did not have showers, just buckets and banos (potty). I did not wear jewelry (except w.r.) or makeup. I still to this day do not where a watch, because i do not want to be kept by "time" but by God (and yes, i have time on my cellphone)
i will remember you in my prayers. BTW...daughter no. 1 moved in. daughter no. 2 this sat. prayers, also, please

Dorothy said...

Prayers that you and JoJo will make the right decision.

Kelley said...

I am thinking and praying for you both.

Susie said...

Will be keeping you in my prayers for God's direction.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I often find that when something like that enters my mind it's really a seed that God planted. It's easy to say "I'd do anything for God" when, in fact, when asked for something specific we choke. Be warned..sometimes He asks, "exactly what would you do for me? would you fly even though you hate it? would you do without your gel for a week?" :) I think you better start packing your bag! blessings, marlene

Jenn said...

Prayers are being sent your way!

My hubby and I recently went on a mission trip to Panama and it was the first time I had flown...ever. At first I wasn't sure if God was calling me to go. Our church is an Acts 1:8 church and whole heartedly believes in missions. So after much prayer and thought we decided to go (and God provided every penny!) While we were in Panama and I was able to look into the eyes of those little precious children - I knew at that moment it was completely meant for me to go! It was truly one of the best times of my life and can't wait to go back!